When Aidan Guerra's phone flashed up the name ''Trent Robinson'' less than a day after the Roosters had been thrashed by the North Queensland Cowboys, the back-rower wasn't necessarily expecting a cordial conversation.

Robinson and Guerra have a close bond, and the 26-year-old credits the Roosters coach with much of his career development, but losing 42-10 isn't generally conducive to a courtesy call from the boss to see how the recovery was progressing.

Newcomer to the Maroons forward pack Aidan Guerra works out with the team on the Gold Coast. Photo: Getty Images

"We got towelled up the night before so it could have been about anything," Guerra said. "But once he got the greetings out of the way he was straight to the point."

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Guerra had little to fear. The Queenslanders had picked their side for State of Origin I and he had made the cut, and Robinson was given the chance to be the bearer of the good tidings. Soon after, Maroons coach Mal Meninga was on the phone to echo the selection, but for Guerra, being given the best news of his career from a man who has helped him take giant steps in the game was a special moment.

"I thought it was fitting," he said. "I've worked hard with Trent Robinson in the 18 months or so. To get the phone call and share it with him was pretty special. It was definitely a proud moment," said Guerra, who is from Townsville. "We've worked on a lot of things, trying to make myself more of a complete player and he knows what's best to get me there."

As the only new face is the side, Guerra has been the curiosity case for not only the media but fellow players. Some fun facts: He played for the Italian side but doesn't speak Italian, and he briefly dated former Miss Universe Australia winner Rachel Finch (''Early days ... we were only young.'')

He has settled perfectly into Camp Maroon on the Gold Coast, amid the spectacular golf courses and multimillion-dollar yachts of Sanctuary Cove. But this is anything but a holiday. It was an honour to be picked, Guerra said, but that was nowhere near enough as he tries to make a big impact off the bench in the series opener.

"At the start it was a pretty surreal feeling but the boys have made me feel comfortable and emphasised my role in the team," he said. "I realised that I am here for football and to represent Queensland, it's a big honour and I have to go out there and prove to the boys that I am worthy of being there.

"We've spoken briefly about what I need to do on the field but it's pretty simple, I need to do my best and become a strong part of this team. There can't be any weak links out there. It's State of Origin football, you can get found out.

"He [Meninga] hasn't spoken to me about specific roles, he's made it clear what he expects of me as well as everyone else in this team."

Guerra remembers crowding around the TV in Townsville to take in every scene of Origin football, growing up idolising players like Gorden Tallis and, later, Mick Crocker. Toughness and aggression is the ongoing theme and he wants to add more of the same.